Programs

FoundationPrograms

Award for Teaching Excellence 2020

The NEA Foundation Award for Teaching Excellence recognizes, rewards, and promotes both excellence in teaching and advocacy for the profession. All current members of MFPE are eligible, including teachers, education support professionals, and higher education faculty and staff.

National Board Certification Support

National Board Certification allows teachers to demonstrate the highest level of accomplishment in their profession. It is a nationally accepted sign of quality and offers a nationwide standard for evaluating and encouraging quality teaching.

The State of Montana provides an annual stipend of up to $2,000 for teachers who achieve and maintain NBC. Several Montana districts provide additional stipends.

Becoming National Board Certified involves an extensive series of performance-based assessments that includes teaching portfolios, student work samples, video, and analyses of the teacher's classroom teaching and student learning.

Karen Cox Memorial Grant Program

Every year, Montana educators raid their own bank accounts to buy classroom supplies and enrichment projects for their students.

The Montana Professional Teaching Foundation created the Karen Cox Memorial Grants to help.

Named for the late Karen Cox, one of Montana’s great teachers, these grants are not intended to replace school funds but rather to support teachers who dig into their own pockets to help their students succeed.

The grants are small ($500 maximum) but mighty. In many cases, they purchase materials schools can use for years.

TO APPLY FOR A GRANT

Download grant application information and application form BELOW. The form is fillable, or you can print it to fill it out. Mail hard copy of the form to Donna Graveley, MPTF, 1232 E 6th Ave., Helena, MT 59601.

TO DONATE TO THE GRANT PROGRAM

Please consider supporting Montana’s educators and schoolchildren by making a tax-deductible contribution to the Karen Cox Memorial Grant Program. Download the donation form below. Or contact Donna Gravely for a donation form: 406-442-4250 or [email protected].

MFPE Scholarships

MFPE Scholarships

A committee, chosen by the MFPE president, shall annually award two scholarships in the amount of $1,500 each. One to a new student (one who has not previously enrolled in or attended any Montana college or university); and one to a continuing student (one who is currently enrolled in and attending a Montana college or university). The students must be MFPE members or dependents of MFPE members. Applications shall be judged from a personal statement, letters of recommendation, applicant’s community involvement, transcripts, GPA, and financial need. MFPE shall announce the scholarship awards at the MFPE annual conference.

Jim McGarvey Scholarship for Union Leadership in Public Education and Service

In memory of the late Jim McGarvey, a great union leader and a forefather of the Montana Federation of Public Employees, the Montana Professional Teaching Foundation created a union scholarship program in his name.

The program helps fund MFPE union member participation in professional development opportunities that improve quality public education and public service and union involvement and leadership.

Existing relevant opportunities include

Educator Conference Scholarships

Women’s Leadership Training

AFL-CIO Rocky Mountain Labor School

National Labor College

Various other MFPE, NEA, AFT, and AFL-CIO opportunities

Applications are solicited as opportunities arise.

Article II. Programs and Partnership

1) MPTF programs shall include, but are not limited to:

1. NEA Award for Teaching Excellence

2. Montana Educator Forum

3. Scholarships and Support for National Board Certification

4. Karen Cox Memorial Grants

5. Administration of Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching

6. Jim McGarvey Scholarships

2) MPTF shall partner with the Montana State Teachers of the Year (MT STOY) to provide Montana Teachers of the Year and Finalists continuing professional opportunities and participation in MFPE sponsored professional development such as the annual Educator Conference.